Questions and Answers
What does the name Vijayanagara translate to in English?
What event led to the desertion of Vijayanagara in 1565?
Who was responsible for the first survey map of the Hampi ruins?
What was a significant source of initial information used to rediscover Hampi?
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Which languages were referenced by historians in the reconstruction of Vijayanagara's history?
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Study Notes
An Imperial Capital
- Vijayanagara, meaning "city of victory," refers to both a city and an empire established in the 14th century.
- The empire expanded from the Krishna River in the north to the southernmost parts of the Indian peninsula.
- The city was sacked in 1565, leading to its subsequent abandonment.
- Despite its decline in the 17th and 18th centuries, Vijayanagara remained alive in the collective memory of local inhabitants, particularly as Hampi, named after the local goddess Pampadevi.
- Rediscovery of the Vijayanagara Empire was fueled by oral traditions, archaeological discoveries, monuments, and inscriptions.
The Discovery of Hampi
- Colonel Colin Mackenzie, an engineer and antiquarian, unearthed Hampi's ruins in 1800 while working for the English East India Company.
- Mackenzie created the first survey map of Hampi, primarily utilizing recollections from priests associated with the Virupaksha temple and Pampadevi shrine.
- Starting in 1856, photographers began documenting Hampi's monuments, allowing deeper scholarly analysis.
- Epigraphists began collecting inscriptions from Hampi temples as early as 1836, contributing to historical understanding.
- Historians synthesized information from inscriptions, travelers' accounts, and literature in languages such as Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Sanskrit to reconstruct the city's and empire's history.
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Description
Explore the history of the Vijayanagara Empire, founded in the 14th century and known as the 'city of victory'. This quiz covers its geographical reach, significant events, and eventual decline in the late 16th century. Test your knowledge about this important period in Indian history.
